The fire that broke out earlier this Monday in Toluca’s Central de Abasto, a major wholesale market near Mexico City, resulted in nine deaths, according to local officials. Authorities described the incident as a clash between two groups over access to a market area, rather than the work of organized crime or a direct order-based feud. The Toluca mayor stressed that this is not a formal gang conflict and called the violence the worst way to settle disputes.
Officials noted that private security personnel at Central de Abastos blocked the entry of public security forces during the period of the blaze. The incident is being treated as a violent feud between criminal factions associated with Toluca, rather than a recurring pattern tied to earlier events on public roads. The prosecutor’s office clarified that the dispute involves rival groups that have interests in the market area and that the violence appears to be linked to internal disagreements rather than a broader criminal operation.
In a statement, the state Attorney General’s Office confirmed nine fatalities, with eight victims dying at the scene and one person succumbing later at a hospital. An injured individual was also transported for medical care. The office indicated it was working to determine the ages and identities of the victims and noted that bodies had been sent to the Forensic Medicine Institute for autopsies. Officials cautioned that there could be some younger victims among those who died.
According to Agencia Mexiquense de Noticias, the fire began around 14:30 local time (20:30 GMT) and was linked to an explosion aboard a vehicle in a designated area. Early indications, while not ruling out any hypothesis, suggested that armed individuals may have entered the area, caused an explosion, and possibly deployed a substance that contributed to a rapid fire. Authorities also cited related actions that included threats and pre-arranged attacks as part of the ongoing investigation.
Central de Abasto de Toluca stands as a pivotal hub in central Mexico, housing thousands of warehouses and commercial buildings across a vast area of land. It serves tens of thousands of visitors each day, underscoring its importance to regional commerce and daily life in the region.
In the broader context, the state of Mexico has a large population and has faced persistent crime trends. The state consistently reports high murder figures, and market-area fires have drawn attention in recent years as potential byproducts of disputes among criminal groups. A related incident in Mexico City last April involved a major wholesale market and highlighted the ongoing complexity of violence connected to large urban marketplaces.